Chapter 1: Family Life

Hiss. An arrow whizzed two inches above Erumeldir's book and one inch from his nose. He glared up out of his pages to see his twin brother standing several yards away. "Dírhael! Can you not see I am reading?"

The young man smiled, a dangerous gleam in his eye. "We leave for our first mission in two days, and I want to make sure my archery skills are as fine-tuned as they can be. Come on and practice with me! Tell you what: whoever has the five closest arrows to the center mark gets the other one's dessert tonight. Mother said she is making fresh apple pie."

Very tempting. However, Erumeldir continued his stony stare. "You interrupted me in the middle of a chapter! And don't give me that you've-already-read-that-book spiel! Fine, I will finish my chapter, maybe two or three, and then we can practice some."

Dírhael sighed, utterly unamused at his twin's typical behavior. "Fine. You have fifteen minutes to finish, and expect another arrow if you don't!"

"Is that a threat? You know what Father constantly tells you about shooting your arrows too close to me."

He laughed off the reprimand. "Just hurry up and finish that book!"

The flaxen-haired youth buried himself back in his own little world, still scowling. About ten minutes later, he carefully closed his book and laid it at the foot of the tree he propped up against. Dírhael smiled and handed him his quiver and bow, which he had retrieved from the house while impatiently waiting. He pointed to a large oak tree about 100 yards away. "That is our target. There is a knot basically in the center, as you recall, so that is what we aim for. I go first."

He stood at their mark and drew back the string to full stretch and released it, the arrow sailing straight and true into the knot. Erumeldir stepped up beside him and did likewise, hitting right next to his brother's arrow. The process repeated four more times, each arrow hitting the knot perfectly. Dírhael let out a huge sigh. "You are too good at this, brother! Now I don't get extra dessert."

Erumeldir laughed. "Serves you right for interrupting my book! Now leave me alone! We'll be together for our mission so you can talk to me then. But for now I want to read. Who knows when my next chance will be." He settled back down at his tree and finished his book in a couple of hours. Then the twins went back inside the farmhouse, where their mother, Cadoresa, had just finished cooking supper. "Will you boys go tell your father to come in?"

"Sure, Mother!" they replied in unison and headed out to the barn. Galad, their Ranger father, followed them inside a few minutes later, inhaling the delicious scent of beef stew, fresh bread, and apple pie which wafted together into a wonderful, homey aroma. The men's stomachs growled loudly and Cadoresa laughed. "Wash up and sit down. Everything is ready!"

Dírhael splashed water on his face and rushed eagerly to the table. Their sister, Hopeful, came to sit by them and placed a hand on Erumeldir's shoulder.

"Hi! How was your day?" Smiling, Erumeldir made sure he faced his sister and motioned with his hands so she could visualize what he inquired.

She smiled and made a fist with her left hand, circling around her right arm to indicate that she had a good day. She then pointed to Erumeldir's books. Dírhael touched her shoulder and acted as if he was reading and shook his head. He then mimed shooting Erumeldir's books.

Erumeldir scowled while their parents watched on in amusement. He told Hopeful about the contest, showing that they both won. "Now eat, honey." He pointed to her plate and then her mouth, shoveling a spoonful of stew into his own face.

Hopeful nodded and ate her food hastily.

Galad smiled and the family ate in peace. "Landon told me that you boys will be serving in a Shire Patrol," he stated as Cadoresa dipped up the pie.

"Yes. Can you give us any pointers, Father?" Erumeldir asked in a slightly wobbly voice.

"Stay with your group, keep your weapons sharp and near, and never think you are safe," Galad replied.
He squeezed Cadoresa's hand while looking at their sons. "You'll do fine, both of you."

Cadoresa returned the silent message her husband sent her while she worked up the nerve to answer her son. Having a merchant father meant being used to her men going off on long journeys, and Galad knew she already worried about their sons' safety, even though they would more than likely not see any action. Breaking off the embrace, she smiled at the twins. "I have confidence in both of you! Galad has taught you well."

"Thank you!" Erumeldir smiled. "And you know we will watch each other's backs. That's what brothers are for, after all!" He playfully punched Dírhael's shoulder.

"No, I'll watch his back and he will watch his book," Dírhael teased.
"Alright, you two," Galad smiled.
Hopeful left her brother's side to curl up by the fire and fell asleep. Soon the family retired for the night, Galad carrying the sleeping girl to her bed before laying down next to his wife.

Erumeldir awoke refreshed and hurried through his meal. He had a little trip to make after breakfast. "Bye, Mother! I'll be back in a bit!" he called over his shoulder as he exited the house.

"Bye!" Cadoresa smiled.

Erumeldir strolled to the next farm where his friend from childhood, Astiwen, lived. He wanted to bid her farewell before his mission. When he reached her home, he knocked on the door with a steady hand. "Is Astiwen home?" he asked when her mother opened the door.

"Is that Erumeldir, Mother?" Astiwen shouted from another room.
"Yes she is," her mother smiled Erumeldir.
Astiwen came running out the door, drying her dripping hands. The wind caught her dark brown hair and tossed it playfully as she smiled at Erumeldir.
"Don't go far," her mother instructed.
Astiwen nodded and grabbed Erumeldir's hand, dragging him away from the house until they were out of sight. She released him and turned to face the young Ranger. Her soft brown eyes slowly filled with tears. Unable to hold them back anymore, she hugged Erumeldir, sobbing into his chest. "You can't go tomorrow! You just can't! There are all sorts of dangers out there and they might take you away!"

A tear slid down his own cheek as Erumeldir clung to his beloved. Not even Dirhael knew he planned to marry her in a few short years. Rubbing her back, he offered reassurances. "Sshh, sweetheart. I'll be fine. The Shire is a fairly safe place. I've heard it is rather unusual to have action there. And you know Dírhael will watch my back for me, just as I will do for him. Please, do not worry too much about me. That will make it so much harder to leave you!"

"Don't tell me it is safe," Astiwen cried passionately. "The Shire itself is peaceful; it is outside the Shire that you will patrol. It is outside the Shire that orcs and fell men roam. It is outside the Shire that our peoples' blood is spilled."

"Yes, and that really does not happen that often, sweetheart. I will be fine!" he assured her again. "I love you, Astiwen. I'll be careful so I can come back and give you a proper courtship, then marry you if you'll have me. You mean the world to me, sweetheart." He tenderly tipped her face up, placing his index finger under her chin, then lowered his lips to hers in their first kiss. She tasted slightly salty from her tears and he enjoyed the gentle way she responded to his touch.

Astiwen's eyes widened in surprise as Erumeldir kissed her but soon she found herself regretting the end. "Now you come back," she breathed.

He smiled. "I will! I promise! And when I do, you'll let me court you?"

"Yes," she laughed, "and no other until the end of my days!"

"Good! Do not tell anyone yet. I want it to be a surprise. And I assume I must ask your father's permission once I get back." He kept his arms about her, wanting to relish their time together as long as possible.

She melted into his embrace, wishing that it could last forever. The trees above swayed to some unheard music sung by the silence. Then she pulled away. "Mother will be expecting me."

"I know. I had better get you back home, then return to my own family before I'm missed!" He laced her arm in his and strolled with her back home, seeing her safely inside before walking back to his farm, a smile lighting up his face. Noticing Dírhael wasn't around, he took Hopeful aside and told her all about his visit, knowing she would be thrilled.

When Erumeldir finished recounting his outing, Hopeful placed a hand on his heart then wrote "Astiwen" in the ashes and drew a heart around the name. Then she clasped her hands and erased the heart and name with her brush.

Erumeldir put a finger to his lips while shaking his head and using Dírhael's name-sign, which consisted of holding up his hand with his palm facing outward and then turning it back inward.

Hopeful giggled and placed a finger on her lips. She then laid her head, which had begun to ache, in her brother's lap and her smile faded.

"What's wrong, honey?" Erumeldir asked, tipping her head to face him.

She clasped her head in her hands and shifted in his lap.

He gently picked her up and carried her to the kitchen where Cadoresa was fixing lunch. He already missed his sister almost as much as Astiwen, her gentle affections and how she needed more love shown to her than a hearing sister would require. "Mother, do you have some willow bark handy? Hopeful says she has a headache."

Cadoresa looked up with sad eyes to meet her younger son's concerned gaze. "Yes, I always keep some on hand. Hold on a minute and I'll fix her some tea."

"Thank you." He sat down next to the table, Hopeful settled in his lap.

Hopeful frowned when the tea was placed before her but drank it obediently. She snuggled against her loving brother.
"She's been having the headaches more frequently," Cadoresa sighed. "The tea helps, but sometimes I think it's more than pain that hurts her head."

"Why didn't you tell me, Mother? What do you think is wrong? I know she's worried about me and Dírhael going out on patrol."

"Your father and I talked about it the other night, and we think she's lonely. I know we all try very hard to love and care for her, and she appreciates it, but she needs something more that we haven't figured out how to give her."

"Oh, Mother!" was all he could say, his heart hurting for his sweet baby sister. He stroked her soft hair as he and Cadoresa shared their time of grievance. Another tear formed, trailing down his face. He quickly concealed it by burying his face in her hair so his mother wouldn't see.

At that moment Galad and Dírhael came in for the noon meal.
"Well here's the slacker!" Dírhael teased, "Supposed to go on a mission tomorrow and thinks he can take the day before off! Where have you been this morning, brother?"

Erumeldir tried to contain his blush. "Um, I had some, er, business to care for before we leave. Then Hopeful needed me. She's had a headache," he added, blue eyes darkened with sadness.

"You've been at Astiwen's," Dírhael shouted in triumph, noticing his twin's blush. "You're sweet on her, aren't you?" He then looked down worriedly at his sister and touched her dark waves. "Is she okay now?"

"I think so. Mother told me she's probably lonely since she can't communicate with us that well. I wish there was more that we could do. We all try so hard. I can't imagine how hard it would be to live life without hearing..." his voice trailed off, too choked to continue.

"I'd trade places with her any day," Dírhael murmured. "I think it would be easier for a man to be deaf than a woman. Do you think she will ever marry, brother?"

Erumeldir took a deep breath to calm himself faced his brother. "I really don't know. It will take a very special man to take her under his wings and cherish her all her days like she needs and deserves. If such a man is out there, perhaps. If not, you know she will always have a home with me, or you, if she doesn't want to stay here with Mother and Father. And you know if I could do anything to take this away from her I would do it!"

Cadoresa intervened, placing her arms around his shoulders, a mist clouding her vision. "Listen to me, son. We all take the very best care of her and she knows that. Try not to let it worry you too much. She was born this way for a reason, even if we don't see it. You're such a good brother to her, and she appreciates it." Reminded of her own brother, Thandraug, who had died after they were captured by some corsairs and shipwrecked, tears streamed down her cheeks. Having a deaf daughter was hard, but she wouldn't trade Hopeful for the world.

Galad placed a comforting hand on his wife's shoulder. Hopeful stirred and opened her eyes, glancing questioningly at her family hovering above. Dírhael smiled and placed a hand on his sister's shoulder.

Cadoresa quickly buried herself in Galad's chest to hide her tears, which flowed even harder now.

Erumeldir tried to tell Hopeful everything was ok, but she didn't seem to believe him. "I love you, honey."

Hopeful smiled and hopped down from her brother's lap. After making both her brothers close their eyes, she ran to the pantry, returning with a seed cake that she had made that morning.

"Thank you, Hopeful! One of my favorites!" Erumeldir smiled and kissed her forehead.

Hopeful grinned and her gaze swiveled to Dírhael, who returned her smile. Cadoresa served lunch, and afterwards they devoured the seed cake. The men got up to leave for work, satisfied as the empty plates rested on the table.
"Are you coming, brother?" Dírhael teased.

Glaring at him, Erumeldir retorted, "Yes. Don't say another word!"

"I won't say another word. Nope, not a peep out of me. Not one single word," Dírhael remarked innocently. He ducked out the door with Erumeldir not far behind.

Snorting, Erumeldir set to work, knowing full well his brother would tease him yet again.